Wheel Bearing Housing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Ball joint puller 3287A
Torque wrench V.A.G 1332
Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A
Angle wrench V.A.G 1756
Spreader 3424
Vehicle Diagnostic, Testing and Information System VAS 5051B

Removing

-- Loosen the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side.

Hex bolt, refer to HEX BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
12-point bolt, refer to 12-POINT BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Remove the wheel.

-- Remove the brake caliper and secure it to the body using wire. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove brake line and electrical line bracket from wheel bearing housing.

-- Remove the ABS speed sensor. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove disc brake.

-- Remove cover plate from wheel bearing housing.

-- Loosen tie rod end nut, but do not remove yet.

Fig 1: Identifying Tie Rod End Pressed Off From Wheel Bearing Housing With Ball Joint Puller 3287A

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Press off track rod ball joint from wheel bearing housing using 3287A and now unscrew nut.

-- On vehicles with a level control system sensor, remove the nut from the linkage on the transverse link.

Fig 2: Identifying Front Left Level Control Bolt And Sensor

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), disconnect connector -2-.

Fig 3: Bolts -Arrows-

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

Remove the connector -2- with both hands. Use one hand to open the retainer and use the other hand to press it off. Do not use tools.

-- Mark location of nuts -arrows- with felt-tip pen.

-- Remove nuts -arrows-.

-- Guide transverse link out of wheel bearing housing with ball joint.

-- Remove wheel bearing housing from drive axle splines.

NOTE:

The drive axle must not hang down, otherwise the inner joint will be damaged by overflexing.

Secure drive axle to body using wire.

-- Separate wheel bearing housing/suspension strut threaded connection -arrow-.

Fig 4: Identifying Threaded Connection Of Wheel Bearing Housing/Suspension Strut

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Insert 3424 into slot of wheel bearing housing.

Fig 5: Identifying Spreader 3424 Inserted Into Slot Of Wheel Bearing Housing

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Using a ratchet and the 3424, open the wheel bearing housing slot.

-- Pull wheel bearing housing with ball joint down from shock absorber tube and remove.

Installing

Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

Tightening specifications, refer to WHEEL BEARING HOUSING AND WHEEL BEARING UNIT ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

Tightening specifications, refer to SUBFRAME, STABILIZER BAR, TRANSVERSE LINK, BALL JOINT, AND LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM SENSOR ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

-- Replace locking element after each removal.

-- Align nuts -arrows- according to markings made earlier and tighten.

Fig 6: Bolts -Arrows-

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Tighten drive axle to wheel hub threaded connection.

Hex bolt, refer to HEX BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
12-point bolt, refer to 12-POINT BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), reprogram control position using VAS 5051B.

-- On vehicles with automatic headlamp range control, perform headlamp basic setting. Refer to [For transmission(s) 02E] [For engine(s) CBRA, BPY, CETA, CCTA, CEPB, CDMA] Diagnosis and Testing .

-- Vehicle alignment required, see table. Refer to WHEN WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS NECESSARY .